Following the news of Voyager of the Seas’ deployment to Australia in November 2012, e-Travel Blackboard decided to take an in depth look at the first ever megaliner to be based ‘down under’.

Royal Promenade

Featuring a ‘Royal Promenade’ rather than a sole ‘Centrum’ like many other ships, stepping onto ‘Voyager’ is akin to walking through a hotel or shopping mall rather than a cruise ship.

The indoor ‘main street’ is 4 storeys high and stretches the length of a football field.

Offering staterooms overlooking the Royal Promenade passengers can enjoy such events as the ‘70’s Street Party’ or ‘Captain’s Welcome’ from the privacy of their rooms.

A miniature version of the one onboard big sisters Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas, the ‘Royal Promenade’ features dining venues, bars, shops and street performances.

Bars include the ‘Champagne Bar’, ‘Scoreboard Sports Bar’, ‘Pig & Whistle Pub’ and those after a snack can stroll the promenade to find ‘Ben & Jerry’s’  or ‘Café Promenade’.

Shopping options include a ‘General Store’, logo souvenir shop, a jewellery & gift shop and a fashion boutique with regular sales occurring throughout each voyage.

Pool, Sporting, Gym and Spa Facilities

Passengers have a plethora of sporting activities to participate in from carving up the inline skating track’ to testing their golf skills on the simulator.

 Royal Caribbean’s signature rock climbing wall is located on Deck 13 and offers some of the best views on the ship rising from 46-61 metres above sea level.

For those wanting a more relaxed style of activity, the 9-hole ‘Voyager Dunes Golf Course’ is the perfect answer located adjacent to the full size sports court also located on Deck 13.

Regular sports competitions are held on the sports court including American classics like dodgeball and basketball or passengers can use the court for friendly games throughout their voyage.

The chance to escape the heat outside is offered in the 900-seat ‘Studio B Ice Rink’ that is available for passenger use when not being used by the professionals practicing for the world-class ice skating shows showcased onboard.

Lessons are provided for beginners and advanced skaters and themed events are held in ‘Studio B’ including disco and rock n’ roll skating. It is also the venue for the infamous adult scavenger hunt, ‘The Quest’.

The Solarium is an adults only area featuring a pool, two whirlpools, 1,400 square metre Spa and Fitness Centre.

An additional two pools and six whirlpools complete the package and passengers over 12 years old can even learn scuba diving onboard with PADI dive instructors through the SeaTrek Dive Shop.

Accommodation

From inside rooms with a view overlooking the ‘Royal Promenade’, to generously sized ocean view cabins, Voyager of the Seas offers passengers a variety of stateroom options.

1,556 cabins house up to 3,840 passengers with 60 per cent of the staterooms onboard offering ocean views and of these, 80 per cent with balconies.

Bars, Nightclubs and Entertainment

With 13 lounges, bars and nightclubs, passengers are spoilt for choice when it comes to options.

Traditional English pub ‘Pig & Whistle’ serves up a variety of imported ales and beers and offers a very different scene to the two storey ‘Vault’ nightclub located on decks 3 and 4 where passengers can ‘Cupid Shuffle’ their way to the wee hours of the morning.

Themed bars include ‘Cleopatra’s Needle’, ‘High Notes’, ‘Crow’s Nest’, ‘Cloud Nine’, ‘Seven Hearts’ and ‘19th Hole’ and for those passengers wanting to try their luck at sea, ‘Casino Royale’ offers a variety of table games and poker machines.

The 5 storey, 1,350-seat Coral Theatre presents Broadway-style productions along with a variety of guest entertainers including comedians and headline musical acts.

Dining

Seating 1,920 guests in total, the main dining room spans three decks and was a favourite of mine when travelling on Voyager’s sister, Navigator of the Seas earlier this year.

With a vast array of a-la-carte options on the menu each night, diners are spoilt by choice and service with several performances during the voyage by the wait staff.

From being serenaded at your table or being privy to the breathtaking display of crew descending the staircase on formal night, the main dining room is somewhere that has to be experienced to be believed.

When Voyager of the Seas makes her way to Australia, this dining room will be the largest floating restaurant in Australasia.

If something more private is up your alley, the Grenada and Seville rooms cater to under 60 guests and ‘Portofino’, the traditional Italian restaurant offers fine dining at a nominal cost.

‘Johnny Rockets’ is always popular for a late night snack and for around USD$4.95 passengers can experience such delights as classic milkshakes, burgers and ever popular onion rings in the 50’s style diner.

Royal Caribbean staple, ‘Windjammer’s Café’ offers an extensive buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner and if passengers are still hungry, ‘Café Promenade’ serves up complimentary café-style snacks, tea and coffee ‘round the clock.

Youth Activities

‘Adventure Ocean Club’ located on deck 12 will keep passengers aged 17 and under busy with activities daily as well as the ‘Adventure Beach’ water park complete with water slides and a video arcade.

‘Optix Disco’ spins tunes to rival any other nightclub on board and younger guests can even enjoy their own dining facilities.

‘Royal Babies’, dedicated to babies of 6-18 months and ‘Royal Tots’ catering to 18-36 month olds, allows parent to accompany their children to enriching interactive classes.

3-11 year old children are broken up into three tiers, ‘Aquanauts’ (3-5 years), ‘Explorers’ (6-8 years) and ‘Voyagers’ (9-11 years) and are offered supervised all-day activities such as talent shows, scavenger hunts and movies.

12-17 year olds are given their own space to meet friends and ‘hang out’.